chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Male Lead's Injustice.

Shen He listened with utmost seriousness.

The one speaking was the Second Prince, Qi Leyong.

He spoke with venomous hostility to the young eunuch beside him: "Remember every word I tell you. If you misquote even half a word, I will not spare you!"

The young eunuch replied in a low voice, "This servant will commit it to memory."

Qi Leyong seemed about to say more when distant footsteps and murmurs reached them: "Zhonghong, wait outside the hall for me later. If I'm delayed, you may leave first and take Hehe back to the Eastern Palace."

The young crown prince suddenly called out, "Who's there?"

Shen He, in Princess Xuan's arms, felt both anxious and nervous.

He wished he could leap out and confront the detestable Second Prince.

Qi Zhuoyun and Zhonghong quickly approached the artificial lake's edge and saw Qi Leyong behind a decorative rockery.

He set his face into a cold expression, eyes icy as he looked at Qi Leyong.

The Second Prince was only half a month younger than Qi Zhuoyun but was a full head shorter. Next to the prince, with his youthful frame, he looked entirely childlike.

Fearfully, he took a step back, but then defiantly spat out, "What are you doing? Be careful, or I'll tell my mother that you bullied me! Don't think being the crown prince will save you from her wrath!"

The young crown prince remained unruffled, his face expressionless as he stared at the Second Prince, "What are you doing here? Waiting for me?"

Qi Leyong averted his gaze and glared at the young eunuch beside him.

The eunuch turned and hurriedly ran away.

Seeing Zhonghong readying to chase after him, Qi Leyong shouted threateningly, "You cur! Dare you! If you pursue my servant, I'll jump into this lake and claim Qi Zhuoyun pushed me. The Emperor will surely punish you severely!"

Smugly, he added, "I've heard about today's court meeting. The Emperor is very displeased with you. You'll be reprimanded later! Imagine what he'd do if I fell into the water because of you!"

Their voices clearly reached Shen He's ears.

Shen He leaned forward, eager to rush over and kick the loathsome Second Prince. However, Princess Xuan held him close, soothingly patting his back.

She bent down, gently placed him on the ground, and put her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.

She then offered Shen He his peach, chuckling as she pinched his soft cheek.

Meanwhile, the young crown prince was being threatened by Qi Leyong.

Zhonghong hesitated, looking troubled, and ultimately didn't chase after the fleeing young eunuch.

Qi Zhuoyun whispered, "Would you dare to jump?"

He looked around expressionlessly, "It's secluded here. You can't swim, the lake isn't deep, but it's deep enough to drown you. If you jump, I can have Zhonghong cover your mouth and let you drown, granting your wish."

Qi Leyong's face stiffened, "You wouldn't dare!"

Qi Zhuoyun's voice was so soft that only those close could hear, "I am only fulfilling your accusations, what wouldn't I dare?"

Fear overtook Qi Leyong. He stared at Qi Zhuoyun, then at Zhonghong by his side, suddenly turning and jumping into the lake while screaming, "Help! The crown prince is trying to kill me!"

The voice of an eight or nine-year-old child is piercing and carries far.

After shouting several times, Qi Leyong began to choke on the water.

He clung to the bank, desperately grasping the rocks, his head tilted back as he shrieked.

Zhonghong murmured, "Your Highness, should your servant..."

Qi Zhuoyun whispered back, "What will you do? Save him or kill him?"

He simply watched with undisturbed, dark eyes as Qi Leyong floundered in the water.

Zhonghong held his tongue, standing beside the prince without taking any action. Actually killing the second prince was out of the question, the young prince had merely uttered a threat.

They would bear this injustice regardless. For now, watching Qi Leyong struggle in the water might at least bring some satisfaction.

As for the rest, it could be settled later.

The young prince's thick eyelashes lowered slightly, trembling, "I can't visit the Xuan Consort's palace today. Go and bring Hehe back."

They stood there for a while, and the voices of palace maids and eunuchs approached.

The eunuch who had run away earlier had returned, and he brought others with him.

Seeing Qi Leyong struggling in the water, without a word, he jumped in and pulled him out. A group surrounded him, asking, "Second prince, are you alright?"

Qi Leyong, having never experienced such distress, grabbed the eunuch, "Where's the Emperor? Where's the Empress? Did you summon them?"

The eunuch replied hurriedly, "I've already sent for them."

Qi Leyong glared at Qi Zhuoyun, his confidence returning, "Just wait! The Emperor and Empress will come to my aid soon!"

Qi Zhuoyun remained silent, calmly observing them.

On the other side, Shen He felt heartbroken.

To see her beloved treated this way was unbearable.

Although Consort Liu Xuan usually appeared cold, one could see, when she lowered her eyes, a delicate child tugging at her dress, straining his small neck to look towards the prince.

His large, clear eyes were round with concern, his little face tight with seriousness.

Taozi didn't bother eating anymore, instead cradling it clumsily with her arm.

Consort Liu Xuan was amused to laughter.

The distant sound of a large group approaching suggested the Emperor and Consort Rong had arrived.

Consort Liu Xuan gathered the child back into her embrace, gently rocking him, and cooed softly, "Little He, stay quiet. Auntie will take you to see your prince brother."

Immediately, the child clung to her neck.

Consort Liu Xuan couldn't help but smile, "Little He is so clever."

They bypassed the artificial hill, with Quezhi and Lianqiao cautiously following behind Consort Xuan, heading to a spot where they could eavesdrop.

Currently, the Emperor was in the prime of his youth, possessing a handsome countenance and a naturally imposing demeanor.

Consort Rong was the epitome of grace, standing out with her unique poise.

Upon seeing the drenched second prince, she rushed to him, wrapping him in a cloak, her concern evident, "What happened to leave you in this state? Are you hurt anywhere?"

At this moment, Qi Leyong seemed less defiant, leaning pitifully into Consort Rong's embrace, "Mother, the crown prince pushed me!" He added, casting a glance at the young eunuch.

The eunuch hesitated, "The second prince had an argument with the crown prince. In a moment of anger, the crown prince accidentally..."

After his explanation, one might think he was trying to exonerate the crown prince.

Holding the second prince, Consort Rong glanced at the Emperor but remained silent.

It appeared she intended to let the matter slide, signaling the Emperor to refrain from reprimanding the crown prince.

The Emperor felt a throbbing in his temples. Given the numerous affairs at court, many officials had advised letting the crown prince participate in governance. Today was his first day, and such an incident occurred; how could the Emperor not be angered?

In a grave voice, he questioned Qi Zhuoyun, "Speak!"

Qi Zhuoyun pressed his lips together, "This matter isn't as my younger brother claims. He jumped into the water of his own accord. I just happened to be passing by and witnessed it. I don't understand why he's falsely accusing me."

Qi Leyong immediately burst into tears, clinging pitifully to Consort Rong, "Mother!"

The Emperor's annoyance grew. Compared to the calm, mature-looking crown prince, the sobbing second prince hardly seemed like a child capable of slander.

His voice turned even colder, "You just happened to be there? If so, who pushed your brother into the water? If you say he jumped, knowing he can't swim, it's tantamount to seeking his own death. Even if it's a lie, make it believable!"

Qi Zhuoyun bit his lip, looking at the Emperor's stern expression. While he wanted to clarify further, he swallowed any remaining words.

A hint of self-mockery flashed in his eyes.

If the Emperor didn't believe him, no amount of explaining today would help.

Zhonghong was his man; his words could not serve as evidence.

Today's silent setback was one he had to bear. He had envisioned this scene the moment he saw Qi Leyong jump into the lake. Still, when faced with reality, he couldn't suppress a hint of defensiveness.

Wasting words to no avail.

Seeing him remain silent and taking it as an admission, the Emperor was about to reprimand him when a gentle laughter interrupted.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Consort Liu Xuan gracefully emerged from the path behind the artificial hill, paying her respects to the Emperor.

Her gaze brushed over the indifferent crown prince and then shifted to the wailing Qi Leyong, thinking to herself that truly only their Little He was the most adorable child in the world.

The Emperor gestured for her to rise, expressing his surprise, “Consort Xuan, what brings you here?”

Turning slightly, Consort Liu Xuan motioned behind her, “Little He, come here. I believe Your Majesty hasn’t met my young nephew. It’s a fine day for him to be graced by your presence.”

The detached crown prince’s expression shifted subtly, his gaze drawn to the area behind the hill.

Out toddled a chubby little toddler, holding a peach almost half the size of his head, wobbling as he emerged from behind the hill.

Though quick-footed, his unsteady gait made it seem like he would tumble any moment.

Instinctively, the crown prince leaned forward, reaching out to the oncoming bundle of energy.

However, the little one ran past him.

And past Consort Liu Xuan.

He darted straight to Consort Rong, smashing the mangled peach right onto the crying Qi Leyong's face.

Qi Leyong's wail turned into a stunned, “Wha...?”

The child, losing his balance with the force of his throw, toppled over.

The tiny figure rolled, resembling a little snowball, landing on the ground, his cries now louder and more heart-wrenching.

His shrill cries, much more pitiful and louder than Qi Leyong’s earlier sobs, echoed with a hundredfold grievance.